Parents of Bisbee Unified School District Students

Remote Learning effective November 23, 2020

The administration has been monitoring the increase in COVID cases in Cochise County. We currently do not have any students who have tested positive but have seen an increase in staff and students who have needed to quarantine due to possible exposure.

The Arizona Department of Health Services earlier this year developed benchmarks for safely reopening schools. The recommendation is for schools to use the data in the benchmarks to guide their decision on in person or remote learning.

Bisbee’s zip code currently is listed as having between 6-10 active cases. Cochise County currently has 595 active cases. Bisbee has students attending from several different zip codes.

The increase in cases will result in Cochise County moving from the minimal to moderate community spread to the substantial community spread category based on ADHS benchmarks. Utilizing the benchmarks and the rapid increase in cases that the county is experiencing Bisbee will return to remote learning instead of the current hybrid model effective Monday, November 23, 2020. The remote learning only option will be in effect through the end of the fall semester. Google Classroom will remain as our learning management platform. Before the switch to remote learning, please ensure that your child knows his/her login credentials.

The district will continue to monitor the situation in Cochise County and determine if the Hybrid model can be resumed after January 1st. We will communicate out our plans during the week of December 21st.

All Bisbee campuses will still be providing free on-site learning opportunities and support services for students who need a place to go during the school day as required by the Governor’s Executive Order. These will be in computer labs or other rooms with technology available. Transportation will not be provided due to the possibility of increased exposure on the bus. The cafeteria will continue to provide meals that parents can pick up at the campuses during lunch times. It will assist us in preparing these if parents can contact the cafeteria to let them know if you will be participating. Contact information Rachel Martinez (520)432-5714 x2216 or rmartinez@busd.k12.az.us

Families needing chromebooks to assist with the remote learning should come to the district office on Melody Lane to check one out.

Please remember that frequent hand washing, wearing masks, and maintaining physical distance from individuals who are not living in your household will reduce transmission rates and will assist us in being able to return to in person instruction.

Cochise County is starting to see cases of the flu.

The flu most severely affects the young and old. Rapid flu testing (as little as 15 minutes) is available at CQCH ERs and clinics, as well as Chiricahua Health Centers. Influenza and COVID-19 have different medical treatments so it is important to distinguish between them.

Flu vaccines are available, safe and effective in reducing the transmission and the severity of the disease. It is all the more important this year in an effort to prevent the U.S. healthcare system from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and influenza hospital/ICU admissions. Flu vaccines are currently available for free or with no co-pay at CQCH clinics in Douglas, Bisbee, Palominas and Tombstone. Chiricahua Health Centers have it available on a drive-thru basis for their patients. Virtually all of the pharmacies in Cochise County have flu vaccines, often free.

The Cochise County Health Department will be starting flu vaccine clinics in the near future

At this time, we have one confirmed positive case of COVID-19 from a student enrolled at Lowell Junior High.   This student was in attendance last week with no symptoms.  We have been in contact with the Cochise County Health Department and working with them on identifying individuals that need to quarantine based on contact tracing.  The students needing to quarantine have been identified and notified to quarantine for 14 days.  The county health department has determined that no closure of the campus is needed based on this case.  The source of this infection has been identified and is not considered to be community spread.

It is important that parents continue to complete the daily health checks and inform the school of any changes in their child’s health.

Please contact the school if you have any questions.

Food Service

Bisbee USD has been approved to offer school meals under the summer meal program guidelines. This allows us to serve meals for free to all students. Students working remotely at home can pick a meal during lunch time at their campus.